2025-3-17

Access Now, an international nongovernmental organization, held the RightsCon summit on human rights from February 24 to 27 in Taiwan. The meeting convened experts, academics, NGO representatives, and government officials with backgrounds in data security, internet governance, and digital human rights. Over 3,000 participants from around the world gathered in Taiwan to exchange ideas and discuss issues related to the age of digital development. Access Now held a dinner on February 25 for special guests. Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung addressed and interacted with the 130 participants. 

In his opening remarks at the dinner, Access Now Executive Director Alejandro Mayoral Banõs especially thanked the government of Taiwan for its generous support, which had allowed RightsCon to be held in Taiwan. He added that important participants from various fields around the world had been able to attend the summit thanks to the government's assistance. 

Lin said the gathering was a demonstration of the transformative power of technology. He added that with the world navigating a path to a digital future, it was important to ensure that technological advancement was employed to protect and enhance human dignity, freedom, and equality. Lin stated that Taiwan was proud to be part of international cooperation and dialogue on how to use technology for the greater good. As a leader of technological innovation and a beacon for democracy, Taiwan could play an important role in contributing to this effort, he said.